Areaway construction



Jan. 12, 1932. H.- T. KEYES 1,840,397

AREAWAY CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 20, 1950 INVENTOR Q is indicated at the numeral 3, having a' grade Patented Jan. 12, 1932 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES HUGH T. REYES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN ABEAWAY CONSTRUCTION Application filed August 20, 1930. Serial No. 476,571.

maintain thecavity. The principal object of this invention is to overcome the need of such masonry and further to simplify and standardize the construction of areaways. According to the invention there is provided a unitary area-way enclosure consisting of a simple stamping. This member is adapted for attachment to the building structure and and is adapted to define, and maintain the exoavation adjacent the window opening. The

top of this member and the side at the window opening, are open in orderto permit access of daylight to the window. The enclosing member is adequately supported by attachment to the building structure and is 'so designed as to maintain a fixed position, whereby the aforementioned masonry structure hitherto found necessary may be elimihated.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, in which :Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of a construction according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section thereof;

Fig. 3 is'a vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified construction.

Reference to these views will now be had by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

, .In the several figures the numeral 1 indicates the basement wall of a structure, and in this .wall is formed a Window opening 2 below the grade level. In order to illustrate this relation more clearly, a portion of the earth at the outer side of the basement wall level 4; and a portion of the ground floor 5 above the basement is shown extending to the top of the basement wall 1.

In the window opening 2 is inserted a sash comprising, for example, a standard steel sash frame 6 containing one or more lights of glass 7 as shown in Fig. 4.

The earth is dug out adjacent the o ening 2 as indicated by the numeral 8 in l? for the purpose of admitting daylight to the opening. Ordinarily a rather complicated and expensive masonry structure is required for the purpose of maintaining a cavity adj acent the window. This structure usually comprises a masonry wallspaced a proper distance outwardly from the basement wall and extending to the foundations of the building, in conjunction with a concrete flooring laid between the walls and determining the bottom thereof. According to'the present invention such masonry structure is rendered unnecessary and the cavity is determined by a dished enclosing member 9, preferably a metal stamping, placed adjacent the window opening 2. This member is comprised of a base 10, a side wall 11 opposite the opening 2 and sloping downwardly towards the base, and end walls 12 which diverge slightly from the wall 11 as shown in Fig. 2. The top of this member and the side lying at the window opening 2 are open in order that daylight may reach the window opening.

The standard steel sash section shown in Fig. 4 has a lateral flange 13, and this serves as a suitable device for the attachment of the enclosing member 9 by means of a corresponding flange 14 formed at the open side thereof. The attachment may obviously be made by riveting, welding or in any other convenient manner. The flange 14 is embedded in the wall 1 and serves as an anchor for supporting the member 9 and also has a water seal at the sides of the member. The flange 14 is further formed with vertical slots 15 for the attachment of additional anchor members 16 having heads 17 received in the slots. These anchors extend into the masonry or outer wall 1 as illustrated more clearly in Fig. 2. The upper opening of the member 9 is covered by a suitable grating 18 5. ngopen at the top and at the side atsaid of'a character adapted to admit light into the cavity.

The outer or upper horizontal edge of the member 9 is formed with a roll rim or flange 19 for reinforcement. This flange, in extending into the earth as shown in Fig. 1, supv ports the forward edge of the member 9'and aids in preventing it from sagging. The inner surface of the member 9 is preferably covered with white enamel and enhances the reflection of daylight into the Window opening, particularly from the sloping surface 11 as indicated by the lines 20 iii-Fig. 3. The

outer surface of the member is preferably roughenameled to prevent deterioration of the metal. j

In the bottom 10 of the enclosure is fitted a bell trap 21 or other style of drain inlet to which is connected a drain pipe 22.

- It will now be apparent that by means of this invention, an .areaway may be built merely by forming the proper excavation, in-

serting the metal enclosure therein and atonce been determined, and the usual practice of figuring the cost of a proposed areaway is thus made unnecessary. The sloped lateral walls 12 permit a number of stampings ofagiven size to be nested together so that they'occupy a relatively small space in storing, packing and shipping.

' In the modification shown in Figure 5 the bell trapis replaced by a grating 25 constituting the bottom of the enclosing member 9 asan inexpensive substitute where the soil is dry or sandy and readily absorbs water without the aid of a drain pipe. 3

Althoughspecific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various alterations in the details ofconstruction may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

' What I claim is 1. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub-grade win dow opening, comprising a dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the outer side of said opening, said member being open at the top and at the side at'said window opening, and a gratingin said open top.

e 2. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a buildingwall having a sub-grade window opening, comprising a sheet metal dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the outer side of said opening,'said member window opening, and a grating in said open to 5. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub-grade window opening, comprising a dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the outerside of said opening. said member. being open at the top and at the side at said window opening, and a grating in said open top, the side of said member opposite said window 1opening being sloped downwardly towards said wall and adapted to reflect light.

1 4:. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub-grade window opening, comprising a sheet metal dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the outer side of said opening, said member being open at the top and at the side of said window opening, and a grating in said open top, the side of said member opposite said window opening being sloped downwardly towards said wall and adapted to reflect light. '5. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub grade window opening, comprising a dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the and at the side at said window opening, and 1 adapted for attachment to said wall atfthe.

outer side of said opening, said member being open at the top and attheside at said window opening, flanges extending outwardly from said member at the lastnamedside and adapted to extend into said wall, and a gratin said top. I

7. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub-grade window, opening-comprising a dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the outer side of said opening, said member being open at the top and at the side at said window opening, the upper horizontal edge of said member opposite said window opening being flanged for reinforcing'and supporting purposes, and a grating in said open top.

8. An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub-grade window opening, comprising a dished member adapted for attachment to said wall at the outer side of said opening, said member being open at the top and at the side at said window opening, the upper horizontal edge of said member being flanged for reinforcing and supporting purposes, and a grating in said open top.

9. ,An areaway unit for use in conjunction with a building wall having a sub grade window, opening, comprising a sheet metal dished memberadapted for attachment to said wall at the outer side of said opening, said member being open at the top and at the side at said window opening, a, window sash secured in the last named side, and a grating in said open top.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HUGH T. KEYES. 

